LOS ANGELES – Frogs didn’t fall from the sky. The moon did not turn blue.

But a relatively rare phenomenon occurred at Staples Center on Saturday. The Clippers won there for the first time in February with a 103-90 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

The Clippers snapped a four-game losing streak and not only were victorious at home for the first time since January, but won for the first time in 13 days.

Maybe Elton Brand was caught up in the moment.

Maybe he was basking in his monster game of 31 points, 12 rebounds and eight blocks, the latter tying a career high.

But without prompting, he said, “We had the question all season long: Is this the turning point? Is this the turning point? This has to be the turning point. We have to play well.

“We leapfrogged them, and now we have to catch the next team.” Brand was pointing out that the Clippers entered the day in the No. 10 position in the Western Conference behind Golden State. They moved up to ninth.

Brand’s point was that only 27 games remain, and the Clippers cannot afford to wait any longer to make a move. Time is running out.

“I’ve been asked at least four times, after a big win or road win, if this is the turning point,” Brand said. “This has to be it.”

Even though they won by 13 points, the Clippers hardly had control – until the fourth quarter. Through three quarters, there had been nine lead changes.

With the Clippers up 83-81 with 7:54 left, they went on an 8-0 run to go up by 10, and Golden State did not recover. Corey Maggette scored five points, and Shaun Livingston had a three-point play during the critical run.

Those two, Brand and Quinton Ross are the only Clippers in their normal rotation who aren’t hobbled by some sort of injury.

Maggette had a solid game with 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Livingston responded with 14 points and a career-high 14 assists.

Maggette made his second consecutive start.

“Corey had a great day in practice yesterday,” Dunleavy said. “He was playing very similar to how he played today. Defensively, he did a terrific job.”

Most of Brand’s blocks came because his teammates were beaten by the speedy Warriors. But still, the fact that the Clippers held the Warriors to 90 points, when they average 105.8 per game, made it look like their defensive mojo could be back.

“Elton did a great job of blocking shots and keeping up with them,” Livingston said. “When he does that, it gives us a chance to box guys out, get rebounds and get our hands on balls.”

CLIPPERS NOTES: Sam Cassell is hobbled by an abdominal strain. He played 15 minutes, and although he is playing through the injury, it sounds as if it is more serious than initially thought. “I’m not up to par, but if I can give this team 10, 15 good minutes and Shaun some rest, I’m going to do that,” he said. “I’m not doing well right now.” … Chris Kaman missed a second consecutive game, and his ailment from “flu-like symptoms” was upgraded to “flu.” Dunleavy said he expects to see the center at practice today. … Tim Thomas left the game in the fourth quarter with back spasms.